The Best Places to See Live Comedy in Austin

Learn how to laugh again at these knee-slapping venues.

Lots of us arrogate to be funniness fan after see a few stick out - up Netflix specials , but can you call yourself a real one if you ’ve never jeopardize into some local club to get your ha - has on in - mortal ? Comedy is genuinely an underutilized reservoir of enjoyment — take a date , or simply lift your spirits alongside some ripe friends during these try time . These spaces also allow you to direct your attention toward a leg without the spike ringing aftereffects of a medicine festival ( coughing , ACL , coughing ) or the quiesce quiet of a picture show theater . What ’s not to love ?

If you ’re over the same erstwhile Browning automatic rifle scene routine and in need of a hearty dose of laugh , check out this lean of top comedy locale around Austin . Grab a boozing , take a seat , and savor the show — but , for the love of Mitch Hedberg , leave the heckling at home .

Fallout Theater

DowntownAsk any Austin improver deserving their weight in Chris Farley references about their favorite plaza to catch clowning in the city , and they ’ll point you directly to the Fallout Theater . The absolute devotion by comedy nerds to this spot probably has to do with the fantastic weekly and monthly show they put on — one which pull directly from the headlines and encourage so much hearing participation , you practically feel like they ’re ground a survey off your own spirit ( and sometimes they are ) . For model , there ’s the “ Fuck This workweek ” showcase every Monday , where the dramatis personae uses interview members ’ fib about their shitty week as breathing in for some seriously groundless improv . Think of it as a chance for individuals besides you and your Quaker to express mirth about that horrible punk appointment you went on last Wednesday .

Spider House Cafe and Ballroom

Central AustinLate night campus resort and Greco-Roman Austin libation spot Spider House dish out up the variety of comedy that meet right in with the far-out atmosphere and toast specials . The disco ball- and red curtain - strew Ballroom hosts showcases with an interesting edge , such as “ The Joke of Painting , ” which happens every 2nd Monday and bills itself as a premix between an art lesson and a clowning show . The must - see at Spider House , though , is the topnotch - pop “ Stoned Vs . Drunk Vs . Sober , ” a stand - up competition where the teams get , well , under the influence , and resulting mischief-making occur . And while we do n’t blatantly encourage you to do the same while watching , it sure reach the trick a netherworld of a lot funnier .

The Sunset Strip Comedy Club

DowntownAustin ’s newest funny kid on the block , the Sunset Strip , open just this past April , but has already gained a ton of traction in the local scene . The emphasis here is on the best mic - original the ATX has to offer up — with veritable showcases boast all the Lone Star comics currently lighting up the degree . late programming includes stacked lineups of up - and - coming Martin Luther King Jr. and pouf of local comedy , where you’re able to check over out the young gun that are not only funny than you , they also do n’t yet call for botox . And when we say stack , we are not exaggerating — with most evenings boasting around twelve comedians minimum , the giggles are trusted to last for hours .

The Paramount Theatre

DowntownWhen it comes to live comedy , the Paramount Theater is the place to catch all the heavy - hitters — stand - ups so famed that even your gran would recognize their name on the marquee . Check out their docket and you ’ll notice a smattering of top - bill name calling : Big Mouth ’s Nick Kroll , the hombre from true offence clowning podcast hitThe Last Podcast on the Left , the cuter version of Jon Stewart ( AKA Trevor Noah ) , and , last but not least , the fabled Bob Saget . The big acts at the Paramount are shine by the theater of operations itself — with a landmark Austin star sign , velvet curtains , and surroundings pull flat from a European opera house , you’llalmostfeel too fancy to laugh so hard soda comes out your nozzle .

Esther’s Follies

Sixth StreetThose who ’ve only been toDirty 6th for a foresightful night of booze Mind Erasers and bumble across the sidewalkmay not have acknowledge Esther ’s folly — although , to be fair , it would take a genuinely inebriated thinker to miss the facade ’s blaring of colour . A turquoise building grace with a rainbow sign , geometrical form , and ocean fauna , the exterior is a visual reading of the excitement expect in spite of appearance . Esther ’s Follies is famous for its variety shows , which have been delighting Austin audiences for over 40 years . The act have political satire , clowning resume , magic tricks , and everything - in - between — essentially a mix betweenSNLand an old - school day vaudeville act , service up with Texas style .

The Velveeta Room

DowntownFor over three decade , The Velveeta Room ( AKA The Velv ) has been a beacon fire for local and touring comic . The dark , lounge - vogue theater light up solely by red candle holders is a swell place to escape the madness of Dirty Sixth . Every Thursday , the place hosts Speed Mic , a tight - paced candid mic dark for noobs and pros working out newfangled material — and it only costs $ 5 to get in . Not to mention , every Wednesday , you may currently get comic extraordinaire Christina P. hopping directly from your Netflix queue to The Velv ’s stage throughout her local residency .

ColdTowne Conservatory

Central AustinIf you ’re calculate to not just watch some comedy , but also up your own jokes game , as well , check out ColdTowne Conservatory . This spot is bang for its clowning , improv , and sketch classes , with award - winning instructors that have instruct and performed at such renowned temples as Second City , iO , and UCB Theaters . When you ’re not practicing for yourSNLaudition , however , you’re able to get some wild performances from the house crew . Keep an eye on their social metier channels for update on their frequent outdoor improv jams , as well as any upcoming graduate showcases . To give you a taste , a recent one was inspired by soap opera house .

Cherrywood Coffeehouse

CherrywoodThe great coffee , beer , and topping - load tacos at Cherrywood Coffeehouse have made it a region hub for years . And every Tuesday at 8 pm , you could watch ( or even participate in ) one of the longest - running undecided mics in Ithiel Town . It attracts skilled and painful - ly funny comics with varying degree of experience . Not to advert , it goes down outside ( and socially distance ) on their surprisingly pall and spacious patio . And it ’s even pet - friendly , so your four - legged Quaker can get in some chuckles , too .

Kick Butt Coffee

HighlandOn any make weekday aurora , you could find multitude filtering in and out of Kick Butt Coffee with some extra - load java and one of their gigantic ( and uniquely named ) XXL cookie . However , on Wednesday night , it ’s all about the guffaws at their long - standing Comedy Open Mic Night . For those hop to perform , you better have your besotted five in order — the leaning open at 7:30 necropsy , and , depend on how many comedians sign up , you ’ll normally have three to five minutes ( or even less ) to ruffle your poppycock . The good tidings ? Even if you do n’t get a rush from your set , you’re able to at least get a bread rush from the shop ’s pleasant-tasting treats .

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